asked the Minister for Finance the present position in regard to the drainage of the River Nanny, County Galway; and if the money for trial boreholes and drainage will be provided this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway River.
16.
Until such time as the maintenance of a satisfactory and adequate water supply to Tuam is assured, there can be no question of the drainage of the Nanny river being proceeded with nor of the allocation of funds for that purpose. The Commissioners of Public Works have agreed to contribute towards the cost of trial well borings to be carried out by the Galway County Council to determine the feasibility of an alternative source of water for the town.
Can the Minister of State state what is the actual cost or estimated cost of the trial bore holes?
All I can tell the Deputy is what has been agreed — that a sum of money will be contributed by the Commissioners of Public Works and it is a matter for the county council to carry out the borings. I am sure they would calculate the costings involved.
Is the Minister saying that the county council will have to contribute towards the trial bore holes that will be made for the alternative water supply?
What was agreed by the Commissioners of Public Works was that the Commissioners of Public Works would make a contribution, a specified figure towards the cost of the trial well borings. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it is the water supply for Tuam we are talking about which would be the responsibility primarily of Galway County Council.
A final supplementary from Deputy Kitt.
Would the Minister not consider making a greater contribution than £3,000 towards the testing of these trial bore holes? Would he not consider also, as the actual drainage will cost £250,000, that that money could be provided and perhaps he would tell me if it is provided in the Estimates for this year?
There can be no question of providing money this year until the matter of the water supply for Tuam town is finally decided. At a meeting with Galway County Council it was agreed that they would carry out trial well borings and that the Commissioners of Public Works — which was a generous offer — would make a contribution. After all, it must be remembered that it is the county council's water supply.
Question No. 17.
The Minister of State has said that the Commissioners of Public Works are contributing only £3,000 out of a total estimate of approximately £10,000 which means that Galway County Council will have to come up with the greater proportion of that money. I am appealing to the Minister to increase that small provision of £3,000. Would he consider that?
I will consider anything but what I am saying is this, that, as I understand it, some time ago Galway County Council provided a new water scheme for Tuam and that they still need this extra water from the old scheme. In spite of all that we have agreed now to make a contribution——
A very small contribution.
Well, it is a contribution and I do not accept from the Deputy that it is the duty of the Office of Public Works to provide a water scheme for Tuam.
Will the Minister now please answer Question No. 17?